The Teacher
Mrs. Hughes
The watercolor paints and supply bag she gave me for being “Student of the Year” — some of which I still have today.
Our Story
Meet Gretchen Pace
Artist, Founder & the Heart Behind Goose & Willow
I never imagined that the watercolor paints and supply bag my first-grade teacher gave me would still be part of my life today — or that the creative women who influenced me along the way would lead me back to art, and to building a creative business of my own.
Orange, Virginia
What I Learned on Saturday Mornings
Carolyn taught me that consistent effort over time is one of the most powerful tools we have.
That lesson came back to me years later when I painted the first piece of artwork for Goose & Willow — I still knew how to paint because of the countless hours I’d spent practicing as a child.
It All Started with a Paintbrush
The creative women behind Goose & Willow
My Mom
Teri Pace
An incredible artist in her own right, expressing her creativity through the gardens surrounding our farm in Orange, Virginia.
The Artist
Carolyn Emerson
Every Saturday morning she taught a group of young girls to mix colors, capture light, and work with the wonderfully unruly nature of watercolor.
My Grandmother
Mimi
During business school, she sat me down for my very first sewing lesson so I could make my first prototype.
The Path Here
I never intended to pursue art professionally.
Looking back, I can see how each experience became part of the foundation for Goose & Willow.
First grade: Student of the Year
A gift of watercolor paints from Mrs. Hughes.
Saturday watercolor lessons
Third or fourth grade, in Carolyn Emerson’s home.
Service in the U.S. Army
After setting my sights on law and a career in Washington, D.C.
UVA’s Darden School of Business
Hoping to help my sister grow her creative business — and learning to sew from Mimi.
The first Goose & Willow painting
An American flag — after more than a decade of barely touching a paintbrush.
Inspired by Home and Country
Raising chickens, digging in gardens, and going “bare-toed”
Growing up on a farm gave me a deep appreciation for the natural world and the simple pleasures of country life — including selling eggs to the local country store, my first business!
From quiet country roads and familiar farm animals to beautiful coastlines, native wildlife, and the distinctive character of communities across America, I find inspiration in the places and traditions that make this country special.
Bringing Art into Everyday Life
Something meaningful, made for the home
Original watercolor
Every design begins as a painting of a beloved animal, a familiar landscape, a coastal scene, or a tradition passed down through generations.
American-made focus
Goose & Willow brings together my love of watercolor and my desire to build something meaningful for my family, with a focus on American-made products.
Veteran-owned
As a U.S. Army veteran, mother, and small-business owner, I hope to inspire a little more gratitude for this country and for the privilege of calling it home.
A Little Piece of My Story, Shared with You
When I look at the watercolor paints I received as a little girl (yes, I still have some of them — and they last a long time!), I’m reminded that we don’t always recognize the significance of a moment while we’re living it.
Goose & Willow is a continuation of those early lessons and a way to share the things I hold dear: the beauty of our country, the character of the natural world, and the traditions that make a house feel like home.
Thank you for being here and for supporting my small business. Whether you’ve found something special for your own home, a thoughtful gift for someone you love, or a collection you’d like to bring to your shop, I’m grateful to share a little of my world with you.
Warmly,
Gretchen Pace
Founder & Artist, Goose & Willow